India vs Afghanistan: India delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat Afghanistan by 170 runs in the second One-Day International at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
After being asked to bat first, India posted a massive total of 402 before being bowled out in 49.5 overs. The hosts were driven by magnificent centuries from captain Shubman Gill and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan. Afghanistan, faced with a daunting target of 403, struggled to keep pace and were eventually dismissed for 232 in 44.3 overs.
The victory follows India’s seven-wicket win in the opening ODI and ensures the series is already decided ahead of the third and final match scheduled for June 20.
Afghanistan Opt to Bowl After Winning Toss
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and elected to field first, hoping to take advantage of early conditions. India, meanwhile, made three changes to their playing XI, handing a debut to fast bowler Prince Yadav while also bringing in Yashasvi Jaiswal and Kuldeep Yadav.
The decision to bowl initially appeared promising for Afghanistan when India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal cheaply. The young opener managed just four runs before falling to Mohammad Salim, leaving India at 9 for 1.
Rohit Sharma Provides Early Momentum
Despite the early setback, Rohit Sharma played an aggressive innings that quickly shifted the momentum back in India’s favor. The experienced opener attacked the Afghan bowlers from the outset, striking six boundaries and two sixes during his entertaining knock.
Rohit looked set for a half-century but fell just two runs short when he was bowled by Rashid Khan for 48 off 39 balls. By then, however, he had already laid a solid platform for the middle order, with India reaching 96 for 2.
Gill and Kishan Take Complete Control
Once Rohit departed, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan combined to produce one of India’s most dominant ODI partnerships in recent times.
Gill, leading the side, displayed remarkable composure and timing throughout his innings. He reached his half-century in only 38 deliveries and continued to accelerate as the innings progressed. The right-hander brought up his century from just 77 balls, combining elegant stroke play with calculated aggression.
At the other end, Ishan Kishan matched his captain’s intensity. The left-hander reached his fifty in 52 deliveries before launching a powerful assault on the Afghanistan attack. Kishan completed his century in only 71 balls, keeping the scoreboard moving at a rapid rate.
The partnership completely shifted the match in India’s favor. By the halfway stage of the innings, India had already accumulated 178 runs for the loss of two wickets. The team crossed the 200-run mark in the 29th over and continued to dominate.
Centuries Set Up Massive Total
Kishan eventually departed after a breathtaking innings of 125 from 79 balls. His knock included 14 fours and seven sixes and provided the foundation for India’s huge total. He was dismissed with India already on 320 runs.
Gill continued his masterclass even after Kishan’s departure. The Indian captain crossed the 150-run milestone in style and eventually scored 154 from just 110 balls. His innings featured 22 boundaries and two sixes, making it one of the standout ODI performances of the year.
India briefly lost momentum late in the innings. KL Rahul was dismissed for a first-ball duck, while Shreyas Iyer contributed 26 runs. Washington Sundar added 19 before becoming one of the late wickets to fall.
Despite the collapse of a few wickets in the final overs, India managed to cross the 400-run mark and were bowled out for 402 with one ball remaining in the innings.
Afghanistan’s Chase Starts Positively
Chasing 403 was always going to be a difficult task, but Afghanistan’s openers began with positive intent.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz played several attacking strokes and scored 41 from 33 deliveries, including seven boundaries and a six. However, his dismissal at 52 for 1 gave India an important breakthrough.
Soon after, Ibrahim Zadran was dismissed for 21, leaving Afghanistan under pressure. The visitors were unable to build substantial partnerships as India’s bowlers maintained disciplined lines and lengths.
Rahmat Shah Fights Lone Battle
While wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, Rahmat Shah stood firm and attempted to keep Afghanistan in the contest. The experienced batter played a measured innings, reaching his half-century from 52 balls.
He received brief support from Sediqullah Atal, who scored 42, but Afghanistan never truly threatened India’s total. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi managed only four runs, while several middle-order batters failed to convert starts into significant contributions.
Rahmat remained Afghanistan’s brightest performer, eventually scoring 79 from 89 deliveries with eight boundaries. However, once he was dismissed, any remaining hopes of a competitive finish disappeared.
Indian Bowlers Complete Clinical Performance
India’s bowlers complemented the batting effort with an impressive display.
Arshdeep Singh struck key blows throughout the innings, removing Ibrahim Zadran, Rashid Khan and Allah Ghazanfar. Debutant Prince Yadav made a memorable start to his international career, claiming important wickets including Rahmat Shah and Nangeyalia Kharote.
Washington Sundar chipped in with a crucial wicket, while Gurnoor Brar also played a significant role by dismissing Gurbaz and Shahidi.
The Afghan batting lineup was eventually bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs, handing India a comprehensive 170-run victory.
Series Already Decided
With two wins from two matches, India now hold an unbeatable 2-0 advantage in the three-match ODI series. The result highlights the depth in India’s batting lineup and the effectiveness of their bowling attack across different phases of the game.
The performances of Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan will be particularly encouraging for the team management, while debutant Prince Yadav’s promising start adds another option to India’s pace-bowling resources.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will look to regroup and finish the series on a positive note when the teams meet again in the third and final ODI on June 20.
India vs Afghanistan 2nd odi-Match Summary
India: 402 all out in 49.5 overs
Shubman Gill 154 (110)
Ishan Kishan 125 (79)
Rohit Sharma 48 (39)
Afghanistan: 232 all out in 44.3 overs
Rahmat Shah 79 (89)
Sediqullah Atal 42 (50)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 41 (33)
Result: India won by 170 runs and sealed the ODI series 2-0.
